Farmers boosting community tourism in their loquat gardens

Dang Van Thanh, resident of Luong Quang village, Thuy Bieu ward, is one of loquat garden owners, who has joined the community tourism program. He said, his garden used to grow various high-quality and best-selling fruit, especially well-known loquat. But, climate change has badly affected the productivity of his fruit crops.

As a result, several local farmers have pioneered a community tourism model, which combines fruit garden tours with other outdoor activities to attract visitors.

According to Hoang Van Long, Chairman of the Thuy Bieu ward People's Committee, among 2,200 households with 10,000 residents, there are up to 800 households with 150 hectares have been growing loquat. In 2008, the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee decided to build Thuy Bieu ward as a destination of eco travel and community tourism.

Local authorities then launched a Thuy Bieu discovery tour with other historical sites or landmarks, such as Quyen Lake, Voi Re temple, Vong Canh hill, Thanh Loi relics.

Thanks to local authorities backing, many garden owners with ancient houses in Thuy Bieu ward have successfully built gardens as attractive destinations for tourists.

Dai, a successful loquat garden owner, revealed, since the birth of community tourism, his family has renovated the 1,000 m2 loquat garden and bough more bicycles to serve tourists. His family also serves fresh rustic dishes to tourist including loquat from the garden.

His family receives about 20 tourist groups per month. More visitors come there during loquat season.

Vo Dang Thai, Vice Chairman of the Thuy Bieu Ward People's Committee said, the revenue from loquat was over 160 million VND per hectare in 2016, which did not include the income from tourism services.